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Biomedical subjects

E Finkelstein

Publications and source records attributed to E Finkelstein.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Incidence and lifetime costs of injuries in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Standardized methodologies for assessing economic burden of injury at the national or international level do not exist. OBJECTIVE: To measure national incidence, medical costs, and productivity losses of medically treated injuries using the most recent data available in the United States, as a case study for similarly developed countries undertaking economic burden analyses. METHOD: The authors combined several data sets to estimate the incidence of fatal and non-fatal injuries in 2000. They computed unit medical and productivity costs and multiplied these costs by corresponding incidence estimates to yield total lifetime costs of injuries occurring in 2000. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence, medical costs, productivity losses, and total costs for injuries stratified by age group, sex, and mechanism. RESULTS: More than 50 million Americans experienced a medically treated injury in 2000, resulting in lifetime costs of 406 billion dollars; 80 billion dollars for medical treatment and 326 billion dollars for lost productivity. Males had a 20% higher rate of injury than females. Injuries resulting from falls or being struck by/against an object accounted for more than 44% of injuries. The rate of medically treated injuries declined by 15% from 1985 to 2000 in the US. For those aged 0-44, the incidence rate of injuries declined by more than 20%; while persons aged 75 and older experienced a 20% increase. CONCLUSIONS: These national burden estimates provide unequivocal evidence of the large health and financial burden of injuries. This study can serve as a template for other countries or be used in intercountry comparisons.

Adolescent↗

Lichen amyloidosus treated by hydrocolloid dressings.

We hereby report a case of lichen amyloidosus in a 69-year-old man unresponsive to various treatments. The patient was treated by occlusion with hydrocolloid dressings. Considerable subjective and objective improvement was observed with respect to the pruritus and cosmetic appearance. We suggest this convenient and efficacious treatment as first line therapy.

Aged↗

Cigarette smoke impairs neutrophil respiratory burst activation by aldehyde-induced thiol modifications.

Exposure to airborne pollutants such as tobacco smoke is associated with increased activation of inflammatory-immune processes and is thought to contribute to the incidence of respiratory tract disease. We hypothezised that cigarette smoke (CS) could synergize with activated inflammatory/immune cells to cause oxidative injury or result in the formation of unique reactive oxidants. Isolated human neutrophils were exposed to gas-phase CS, and the production of nitrating and chlorinating oxidants following neutrophil stimulation was monitored using the substrate 4-hydroxyphenylacetate (HPA). Stimulation of neutrophils in the presence of CS resulted in a reduced oxidation and chlorination of HPA, suggesting inhibition of NADPH oxidase or myeloperoxidase (MPO), the two major enzymes involved in inflammatory oxidant formation. Peroxidase assays demonstrated that neutrophil MPO activity was not significantly affected after CS-exposure, leaving the NADPH oxidase as a likely target. The inhibition of neutrophil oxidant formation was found to coincide with depletion of cellular GSH, and a similar modification of critical cysteine residues, such as those in NADPH oxidase components, might be involved in reduced respiratory burst activity. As alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes such as acrolein have been implicated in thiol modifications by CS, we exposed neutrophils to acrolein prior to stimulation, and observed inhibition of NADPH oxidase activation in relation to GSH depletion. Additionally, translocation of the cytosolic components of NADPH oxidase to the membrane, a necessary requirement for enzyme activation, was inhibited. Protein adducts of acrolein (or related aldehydes) could be detected in several neutrophil proteins, including NADPH oxidase components, following neutrophil exposure to either CS or acrolein. Alterations in neutrophil function by exposure to (environmental) tobacco smoke may affect inflammatory/infectious conditions and thereby contribute to tobacco-related disease.

Acrolein↗

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy in a 12-year-old twin with comorbid conversion disorder in both twins.

A case of reflex sympathetic dystrophy is presented in a 12-year-old girl with comorbid conversion disorder. Her identical twin also had a conversion disorder. This is the first reported case of coexistence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy and conversion disorder. It is important for clinicians to be aware that these conditions may coexist since the presentation of symptoms differ, even though there are shared features of treatment.

Child↗

Iron supplementation moderates but does not cure the Belgrade anemia.

Belgrade rats inherit microcytic, hypochromic anemia as an autosomal recessive trait (gene symbol b). Erythrocytes and tissue are iron deficient in the face of elevated TIBC (total iron binding capacity) and percent iron saturation; iron injections increased the number of erythrocytes but their appearance remained abnormal. We have investigated iron supplements to improve husbandry of b/b rats and to learn more about the underlying defect and its tissue distribution. Weekly i.m. (intramuscular) injections of iron-dextran (Imferon at 30 mg kg-1) improved the anemia but did not alter the red cell morphology. Certain diets also improved the health of b/b rats when compared to standard rat chows by the criteria of weight, survival to adulthood, hematology and reproduction. The critical nutritional factor turned out to be iron bioavailability, with ferrous iron added to the diet improving the health of Belgrade rats without affecting the underlying erythroid defect. Tissue iron measurements after dietary or parenteral supplementation confirmed the iron deficient status of untreated b/b rats and established that dietary ferrous iron partially relieved this deficiency, with injections leading to greater amounts of tissue iron. Serum iron and TIBC were also found to be elevated in untreated b/b rats, with dietary supplementation decreasing but not eliminating the elevation in TIBC. These studies indicate that iron supplements can improve the health of b/b rats without altering the underlying defect and also suggest that the mutation could alter iron uptake in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract.

Anemia, Hypochromic↗

Keratosis lichenoides chronica: a variant of lichen planus.

In order to establish a possible relationship between keratosis lichenoides chronica (KLC) and lichen planus (LP), we performed a comparative study which included routine histologic examination, electron microscopy, and direct immunohistochemical studies from one case of KLC and several patients with LP. Our findings demonstrate that KLC and LP share many similarities; their differences are mostly quantitative. In KLC, the findings are more prominent; we therefore conclude that KLC is at one end of the spectrum of LP.

Chronic Disease↗

A case of pemphigus vulgaris with esophageal involvement.

Esophageal involvement in pemphigus vulgaris is rare, found more in women than in men, and can be the only manifestation of pemphigus. Esophageal involvement had been reported only among patients with pemphigus vulgaris and not in patients with other forms of pemphigus. We describe a case of pemphigus vulgaris in which the esophagus was severely involved with only few oral lesions and no involvement of the skin or oropharynx.

Aged↗

Werner's syndrome.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cataract Extraction↗

Masturbation in prepubescent children: a case report and review of the literature.

A 10-year-old girl observed to have episodes of flushing, pallor and weakness, was referred for investigation of possible carcinoid syndrome. The cause of these episodes was masturbation. Masturbation occurs at all ages and in most cases is considered normal behaviour. Lack of recognition of this phenomenon in children may lead to unnecessary investigations and treatment.

Child↗

Diffuse lentiginosis in a patient with Werner's syndrome--a possible association with incomplete leopard syndrome.

A classical case of Werner's syndrome is described. In addition to the numerous skin changes that are typically associated with Werner's syndrome, our patients also displayed diffuse lentiginosis, and several of the clinical features of leopard syndrome. Histopathological and ultrastructural findings from a hyperpigmented macule displayed the typical features of a simple lentigo. A striking feature was the presence of melanosomes in Langerhans cells as has been reported in the leopard syndrome. A possible generalized mesodermal defect has been suggested in Werner's syndrome, while the basic defect in the leopard syndrome is thought to be of neuroectodermal origin with pleiotropic changes in the organs derived from the mesoderm. Our patient, with incomplete leopard syndrome and typical Werner's syndrome, may be an example of an association of genetic defects affecting both tissues of neuroectodermal and mesodermal origin.

Humans↗

An outbreak of phytophotodermatitis due to celery.

BACKGROUND: Celery is known to contain psoralens, a group of substances that cause a toxic dermal reaction on exposure to ultraviolet A rays (UVA). An outbreak of phytophotodermatitis amongst 11 workers in a celery harvest in southern Israel is reported. METHODS: Analysis of the trigger factors was carried out. The patients were questioned regarding their working conditions. Samples of the celery that the workers had been harvesting were analyzed for levels of total psoralens by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Levels of UVA were measured. RESULTS: It was found that the celery harvested in the south of the country contained 84 micrograms/g fresh weight (f.wt.) total psoralens as compared to 35 micrograms/g f.wt. in celery harvested in the north of the country at the same time. The following year the celery harvested in the south contained only 26 micrograms/g f.wt. total psoralens. Other risk factors noted were that the subjects had fair skin, wore no protective clothing, and worked with moist hands. In addition, the days were clear and sunny thus ensuring maximal UV radiation for that time of the year. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple factors contributed to the outbreak of phytophotodermatitis. A late harvest in the south of the country is incriminated as the cause of the unusually high levels of psoralens in the celery of that year.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗